Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sunshine3 on February 5, 2005, at 15:18:12
Hey, It's nice to know I'm not by myself in dealing with Anxiety. Eight days ago I went from 25mg of PaxilCR to 12.5mg. Every day since then I have had an increase of shocking like sensations through-out my whole body but mainly in my head. I even get this woshing sound in my head that last a split second while my body is going thru this shocking sensation. I've been on paxil for about a year and just want to be off completely. My anxiety symptoms had gotten better while on 25mg. Should I just wait this out and see if this crazy like sensation goes away?
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on February 5, 2005, at 15:32:23
In reply to effects of lowered Paxil dosage, posted by sunshine3 on February 5, 2005, at 15:18:12
With Paxil you need to lower your dose very, very slowly. The withdrawal can be a nightmare. If you are having bad side effects now, you might need to go up a little again. When I was getting off paxil, I had terrible w/drawal effects--psychological (feeling suicidally depressed) and physical (extreme sleepiness, headache, nausea). And, I should add, that I typically am pretty resillent to side effects!
When I was finally getting off I was taking 1/8 of a 10 mg pill!! Taking Ativan to take the edge off helped some. Also, I was looking to switch to a new med and so my pdoc was able to start to add in prozac as I was tappering the paxil.
So in conclusion, don't rush it! Getting there faster is NOT worth it! Also, talk to your doc about these side effects and maybe s/he can help a little.
Best,
EE
Posted by Phillipa on February 5, 2005, at 17:36:02
In reply to Re: effects of lowered Paxil dosage, posted by Emily Elizabeth on February 5, 2005, at 15:32:23
The only side-effect I had when getting off l0mg, was every time I blinked, turned my head, etc, I felt like I lost consciousness for a milli second. I eliminated this with taking smaller and smaller doses. Of course, I was also on xanax and drinking beer, all with the knowledge of the Bad pdoc. See my previous Post about the pending charges on him. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by sunshine3 on February 5, 2005, at 18:50:30
In reply to Re: effects of lowered Paxil dosage, posted by Phillipa on February 5, 2005, at 17:36:02
How long can I expect to experience this "whoosh" electric-like sensation every time I look in a different direction. I realize everyone is different but this is really annoying and I'm debating whether or not to raise the dosage back to 25mg. I would like to get drug free, though to see if I can cope.
Posted by Phillipa on February 5, 2005, at 18:57:02
In reply to Re: effects of lowered Paxil dosage, posted by sunshine3 on February 5, 2005, at 18:50:30
You are on the time-release form and have been taking a higher dose than I was. Call in the med experts!Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by SLS on February 6, 2005, at 9:00:27
In reply to Re: effects of lowered Paxil dosage, posted by Emily Elizabeth on February 5, 2005, at 15:32:23
> When I was finally getting off I was taking 1/8 of a 10 mg pill!! Taking Ativan to take the edge off helped some.
This is great advice. This even includes the Ativan idea, although I would wait to try a modified taper first. I found that I reduced my discomfort by taking miniscule amounts *several* times a day - even the extended release version.
Going from 25mg to 12.5mg is a 50% decrease. That is quite a steep decline. At this point, however, I think I might opt to stick it out at 12.5 until the withdrawal syndrome lessens substantially before continuing to taper. If the withdrawal effects are too uncomfortable right now, try taking 1/3 of a 12.5 tablet three times a day. Then try taking smaller and smaller amounts (bite off pieces of the tablet if necessary). Towards the end of my discontinuation of Paxil, I purposely waited until the beginnings of the withdrawal syndrome appeared, and nibbled off minute pieces of medication until I was down to zero. I did it by "feel". You will notice that the time periods between the appearance of withdrawal symptoms will get longer and longer. It's sort of like using Paxil as a PRN whenever withdrawal symptoms develop; using the minimum amound necessary to do the job.
I used this strategy with Effexor also. With both Paxil and Effexor, trying to come off of it using a more "traditional" taper caused me to harsh experience withdrawal effects with the brain-zaps and everything, so it's not as if I am resistant to a discontinuation withdrawal syndrome with these drugs. Still, it must be understood that my strategy of discontinuing these drugs might not generalize to everyone.
Good luck. Please post of your progress.
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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